III 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 17 

Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools in the United States. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JANUARY 26, 2023 

Mr. RUBIO (for himself and Mr. CASEY) submitted the following resolution; 

which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools in the 

United States. 

Whereas Catholic schools in the United States are internationally acclaimed for their academic excellence and 

provide approximately 1,700,000 students with more 

than an exceptional scholastic education; 

Whereas Catholic schools instill a broad, values-added education emphasizing the lifelong development of moral, intellectual, physical, and social values in young people in 

the United States; 

Whereas Catholic schools serve the United States by providing a diverse student population from all regions of 

the United States and all socioeconomic backgrounds 

with a strong academic and moral foundation, including 

21.5 percent of students from racial minority backVerDate Sep 11 2014 00:32 Jan 27, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR17.ATS SR17

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•SRES 17 ATS 

grounds, 18.6 percent from Hispanic heritage, and 20.3 

percent from non-Catholic families; 

Whereas Catholic schools are an affordable option for parents, particularly in underserved urban areas; 

Whereas Catholic schools produce students strongly dedicated 

to their faith, values, families, and communities by providing an intellectually stimulating environment rich in 

spiritual, character, and moral development; 

Whereas Catholic schools are committed to community service, producing graduates who hold ‘‘helping others’’ 

among their core values; 

Whereas the total Catholic school student enrollment for the 

2022–2023 academic year is 1,700,000, and the studentteacher ratio is 11 to 1; 

Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 98.9 percent, with 85.2 percent of graduates attending 4-year colleges; 

Whereas the week of January 29, 2023, to February 4, 2023, 

has been designated as ‘‘National Catholic Schools 

Week’’ by the National Catholic Educational Association 

and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; 

Whereas National Catholic Schools Week was first established in 1974 and has been celebrated annually for the 

past 49 years; and 

Whereas the theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2023 

is ‘‘Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.’’ which 

reflects the purpose of Catholic schools to form students 

to be good citizens of the world, love God and neighbor, 

and enrich society with the leaven of the gospel and by 

example of faith: Now, therefore, be it 


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•SRES 17 ATS 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the goals of National Catholic 

3 Schools Week, an event— 

4 (A) cosponsored by the National Catholic 

5 Educational Association and the United States 

6 Conference of Catholic Bishops; and 

7 (B) established to recognize the vital con8 tributions of the thousands of Catholic elemen9 tary and secondary schools in the United 

10 States; 

11 (2) applauds the National Catholic Educational 

12 Association and the United States Conference of 

13 Catholic Bishops on their selection of a theme that 

14 all can celebrate; and 

15 (3) supports— 

16 (A) the dedication of Catholic schools, stu17 dents, parents, and teachers across the United 

18 States toward academic excellence; and 

19 (B) the key role they play in promoting 

20 and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the 

21 United States. 

Æ 


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